One of the coolest things about eating a plant-based diet right now is that the market is exploding with new products. As I’ve said in previous posts, there is rarely a week I go to the grocery store that I don’t see a new product or brand offering a new meatless dairyless option. Keep in mind that just because these are vegan doesn’t mean they’re healthy. I mean, come on people. Vegan cookie dough is still cookie dough, but if you like having a vegan diet with some junk food balance, then even some of the less healthy options will be right up your alley and certainly superior to their animal product counterparts.

Keep in mind that not all of these are mock meat and dairy. Many of these products are just new things that have hit the market that are easy to make meals that just happen to be vegetarian or vegan. I get even more excited to see those things because I know they target a much larger market. If we can get people eating organic quinoa that microwaves in 3 minutes rather than chinese takeout, that’ll be six steps in the right direction.

1. Nut Butters

Every time I look, there are new flavors and nut blends. Here are some of the latest. I specifically chose ones that were available at my “regular” grocery store for those of you who don’t have access to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s! I’m so curious to try the banana Better’n Peanut Butter! For those who don’t know, it’s a reduced fat option that has about half the calories of regular peanut butter. It really doesn’t taste just like peanut butter, but has it’s own (in my opinion) really rich great flavor. Give it a try!

2. Granola

Found this gem at BJ’s (another version of Costco or Sam’s Club). Delish!

3. Snack Foods

Protein Chips

Haven’t tried these yet, but they’ve been all over Instagram. I’m keeping an eye out!

Soy Crisps

Coconut Chips

Tried these for the first time around Christmas and they are mind-blowing. So sweet and crispy.

4. Plant-Based Dairy

Almond Cashew Hazelnut milk?!

Yes please. Although I don’t drink a lot of plant-based milk anymore, in my occasional cup of coffee, this stuff was truly dreamy. It had much more depth of flavor than almond milk, although was not quite as creamy as soy milk. I highly recommend.

Ice Cream

The almond milk ice cream movement is gaining traction, which I love, because it offers a great flavor with much less fat than coconut milk ice cream. Butter Pecan?! I haven’t tried this yet, but it’s on the to-do list.

Why does coconut milk ice cream always get the great flavors first?

5. Meal Options & Veggies

Chicken Sliders

Finally. The other faux meat options were never enough for me. Now I can finally have tiny little baby chicken sliders.

I kid, but come on – these are cool.

Gluten Free Buckwheat Soba Noodles

Salt-free Tomato Sauce

This goes perfect with gluten free pasta of any kind. I have been making a conscious effort to reduce fat and salt in my diet, and I discovered that the rich taste of blended organic tomatoes is actually preferable to the taste of salty spaghetti sauce. Try this out!

They also make a kind with basil in it, which would maybe be an even better sauce replacement.

Trader Joe’s Mushroom Mochi

Keep in mind that these are not gluten free (and caused me some tummy issues), but they are WELL worth the trouble. Yummo. Delicious, ready in 2 minutes or less, and fairly low fat.

Frozen Sliced Beets

So much easier than boiling or roasting whole beets, and much less messy than the precooked beets in the plastic packaging!

6. #ALLTHEFRUITS

Frozen Organic Mango

New to Trader Joe’s, organic mango! The other tropical fruit blend they have is not organic, so I was pumped to see this!

Non-GMO Tomatoes

Was pumped to see these at the bulk grocery store (BJ’s). When you see these products, support them by BUYING so we can see more organic and non-gmo foods at potentially cheaper prices!

Baby Food

The perfect pre-workout, and organic to boot.

Dried Fruit new to Trader Joe’s

This stuff is only available at one Trader Joe’s I’ve been to, so keep an eye out. It’s different from the dried fruit that comes in the clear packaging, and the pineapple is SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT OTHER STUFF.

It’s freaking awesome. I may or may not have eaten an entire bag in one sitting #801010

The oranges, on the other hand, SUCKED. Don’t touch them. I seriously could hardly swallow them. They were dry and crispy and nearly flavorless.

Michael recently received this as part of his Bike Loot box and loved them! Personally, I couldn’t get over the texture mentally – like just dried banana. The other dried banana I’ve had is much thinner and tougher, but these were thick and soft. He loved them, however, and thought they tasted just like banana bread. Great fuel for athletes either way!

7. Chocolate

Disclaimer: I don’t think either of these are vegan, but I thought they were still cool, creative, plant-inspired foods that were worth sharing.